Murray Wood: Saturday night leaver
There was a time that Canadians gathered around the TV on Saturday to watch Hockey Night in Canada on CBC. Those days ar...
It was a vastly different opening game experience for Kian Schaffer-Baker this season compared to 2025.
In 2025, the Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback injured his foot on the first drive, keeping him out of the lineup until Oct. 3 and limiting him to just five games of regular-season action.
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This season, the 28-year-old caught 11 passes for 165 yards in a 31-27 win over the B.C. Lions during the Roughriders’ home opener.
“You never know how the game is going to flow,” the Mississauga, Ont., product said. “Some days as a receiver you might get two passes, some days you might get 14 but it’s just be ready whenever the moment comes and when the opportunity does present itself, run with it and make the most of it.”
Along with his talent on the field, Schaffer-Baker’s personality has endeared him to Rider fans. During the game, when he made a catch along the sidelines and was brought down by a Lions defender, he struck a pose on the ground for the television camera.
“You’re always ready to strike a pose whenever the camera is there. You always have to be ready and have something ready to go,” Schaffer-Baker said. “We’re just having fun out there. That’s what it’s all about – just having fun, loving on the guy beside you and giving it all you’ve got out there.”
With Schaffer-Baker missing a lot of time last season, some may have forgotten how dynamic of a receiver he could be.
“It’s one of those things where the guys on the other team know (how good he is) but a lot of times the media can forget and get a little bit of amnesia when it comes to the big signings and who switched teams and whatnot,” said quarterback Trevor Harris said.
“Kian Schaffer-Baker is an all-star player and, one day, could be a Hall of Fame wide receiver. He’s one of one. He’s awesome and a great man of God and a tremendous teammate. I couldn’t be more thankful to be a teammate of his and be able to play on the same field as KSB.”
Schaffer-Baker wasn’t the only wide receiver who had a big first week, as KeeSean Johnson also had over 100 yards (131 yards) while Sam Emilus caught three touchdowns.
Saskatchewan will take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, next. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
Rolan Milligan out at least a couple of weeks
Saskatchewan will be without one of its top defenders for the next couple of games.
Rolan Milligan Jr., who was the CFL’s top defensive player in 2024, suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of the game against the Lions and did not return to the game.
“It might be a couple weeks for old ‘Ro there, but that guy is a super human. Whatever the timeline is, that’s for the average Joe,” said Riders head coach Corey Mace. “I wouldn’t put it past old ‘Ro to be back sooner than expected.”
Also missing from Tuesday’s practice was safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle), who moved to the halfback spot when Milligan got injured. Jaxon Ford was starting at safety for practice, while Juju Hughes was in Milligan’s spot.
